as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something
bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bystanders
Among the shootings was an incident in September in which two innocent bystanders were struck outside their home.
—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2026
Tony says no bystanders were hurt and his deputies have only minor cuts and scrapes.
—
S.e. Jenkins,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The relief was palpable among rescue workers and bystanders alike.
—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
And robotic martial artists can be dangerous to bystanders, as was recently demonstrated at a Chinese amusement park, where a G1 wearing a clown wig kicked a small child in the stomach.
—
Stephen Witt,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Hallandale Beach officials say the father and daughter were innocent bystanders who were not involved in the nearby exchange of gunfire between two suspects.
—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
In a press conference held by the Chicago Fire Department, Deputy District Chief Jason Lach said two people ended up in the water before bystanders quickly helped remove them from the lake.
—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
27 June 2026
The video then shows the woman throwing Martinez to the ground, grabbing her by the hair and repeatedly attacking her as bystanders try to step in and help.
—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
Hayward police say two bystanders rescued a woman from a kidnapper Friday afternoon.
—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2026
Tony says no bystanders were hurt and his deputies have only minor cuts and scrapes.
—
S.e. Jenkins,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The relief was palpable among rescue workers and bystanders alike.
—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
And robotic martial artists can be dangerous to bystanders, as was recently demonstrated at a Chinese amusement park, where a G1 wearing a clown wig kicked a small child in the stomach.
—
Stephen Witt,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Hallandale Beach officials say the father and daughter were innocent bystanders who were not involved in the nearby exchange of gunfire between two suspects.
—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
In a press conference held by the Chicago Fire Department, Deputy District Chief Jason Lach said two people ended up in the water before bystanders quickly helped remove them from the lake.
—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
27 June 2026
The video then shows the woman throwing Martinez to the ground, grabbing her by the hair and repeatedly attacking her as bystanders try to step in and help.
—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
Hayward police say two bystanders rescued a woman from a kidnapper Friday afternoon.
—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
Noun
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The trio in tiaras rode in the parade in an open convertible, waving to spectators.
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The spectators, meanwhile, were a perfect mix of first-timers and lifers, with both groups taking their dedication to the theme very, very seriously.
Noun
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The presence of observers from regional organizations such as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, who were confined mostly to Addis Ababa, helped provide the election with international legitimacy.
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Electoral authorities and international observers have repeatedly defended the integrity of the process.
Noun
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Television executives say those viewers have always been watching at bars, restaurants and other locations, so now the ratings are a more accurate reflection of the real audience size.
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By September 1995, PBS said the show was averaging five million viewers, the New York Times reported.
Cite this Entry
“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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